Shure SM7B

The Shure SM7B is a cardioid dynamic microphone with a smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response that has made it a fixture in broadcast booths, podcast studios, and recording rooms for decades. It delivers warm, natural reproduction of both speech and singing, with built-in controls that let you tailor the sound to the voice in front of it.

Highlights

• Flat, wide-range 50 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response for clean, natural vocals
• Classic cardioid polar pattern, symmetrical about the axis, for consistent off-axis rejection
• Bass rolloff and presence boost switches with a graphic display of the response setting
• Internal air-suspension shock isolation virtually eliminates mechanical noise
• Improved shielding against electromagnetic hum from computer monitors and studio gear
• Built-in pop filter plus A7WS detachable windscreen for close-talk work

Shure SM7B: Why It Became the Broadcast Standard

The SM7B is built for the voice. Its flat, wide-range response captures speech and vocals without the hype or harshness that makes some microphones fatiguing to listen to over a long show or session. The cardioid pattern rejects sound from the rear and sides, so room reflections, computer fans, and nearby noise stay out of the recording.

Inside, an air-suspension shock mount isolates the cartridge from the body, so desk bumps and stand noise don’t make it into your signal. Improved electromagnetic shielding keeps the hum from monitors, lighting, and computers out as well, which matters in a modern studio full of electronics.

SM7B Tone Controls: Bass Rolloff and Presence Boost

Two recessed switches on the back of the microphone shape its response. The bass rolloff reduces low frequencies below about 400 Hz, which helps control proximity effect and room rumble when a talker works close to the mic. The presence boost lifts the upper midrange around 2 kHz to 4 kHz, adding clarity and intelligibility to voices that need to cut through. A graphic display on the mic shows which setting is active, and the included RPM602 switch cover plate keeps the settings from being bumped.

SM7B Setup Tips for Podcasting and Recording

The SM7B is a low-output dynamic microphone, so give it a preamp with plenty of clean gain. Shure recommends around 60 dB of gain; many users pair it with a dedicated inline preamp or an interface with high-gain inputs. Work close to the mic, about one to six inches away, and use the A7WS windscreen for close-talk applications to tame plosives.

For spoken word, start with the bass rolloff engaged if the voice sounds boomy, and try the presence boost if it needs more definition. For singing, many engineers leave both flat and let the mic’s natural response do the work.

Shure SM7B Specifications at a Glance

• Type: dynamic
• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Frequency response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
• Output impedance: 150 Ω
• Sensitivity: -59.0 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV) at 1 kHz
• Connector: 3-pin male XLR
• Weight: 765 g (1 lb 11 oz)
• Included: A7WS detachable windscreen, RPM602 switch cover plate

Who Buys the Shure SM7B

• Podcasters and streamers who want a professional broadcast sound
• Radio stations and voice-over artists
• Recording studios tracking vocals, guitar cabinets, and kick drum
• Houses of worship and schools building media and streaming rooms
• Content creators upgrading from USB microphones

Why Buy the Shure SM7B From Metro Sound & Lighting

Metro Sound & Lighting isn’t a catalog-only retailer. We sell, install, and service pro audio in-house, so you get real technical help choosing the right preamp, interface, and mic arm for your SM7B and support long after the sale. We build complete podcast and broadcast rooms for businesses, churches, and schools, and offer B2B and integrator pricing for volume purchases.

Browse more options in our Dynamic Microphones category, or see the full specifications on the official Shure SM7B product page.